27 July 2023
Employee Spotlight: Marie-Sylvie Hedegaard
In this spotlight feature, we speak to Marie-Sylvie Hedegaard, Account Manager at Weidmann Electrical Technology, who plays a pivotal role in the on-board traction transformers sector.
Hi Marie-Sylvie, please tell us about your role at Weidmann, what it involves, and how long you have worked for the company.
Hi, I joined Weidmann 6 years ago as Account Manager for France, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and recently, Belgium. I am qualified as a Materials Engineer with a special interest in technical innovation and business development.
I am based in Lyon, France, and have two grown-up daughters, both working in Spain, and a Danish husband. I am the only member of the family to have only worked in France!
Did you start in this position when you first joined Weidmann? If yes, what other roles have you held, and in which industry sector?
Before Weidmann, I worked for over 25 years in Purchasing, Quality, and Continuous Improvement for a transformer company in France producing large power transformers and on-board traction transformers.
This experience provided a broad understanding of the requirements and expectations of transformer OEMs, as it gave me the buyer’s perspective. In addition, my most recent job, before moving to Weidmann, was heading up the Purchasing Team for on-board transformers. Not only was this role very interesting, but it also gave me the opportunity to work with a range of suppliers looking at design-to-cost actions and supplier development.
This experience has proved to be invaluable at Weidmann, now that I’m on the ‘other side’ so to speak – from the supplier’s perspective, as I understand fully our customer expectation levels and how best to tailor a solution to suit the customer’s needs.
I am also able to use my experience in on-board traction transformers and provide Weidmann increased business opportunities. Weidmann is the market leader for insulation material in distribution and power transformers. They are the technical experts in oil-immersed transformers backed by a large team of R&D Engineers, a worldwide Supply Chain, and a global production capacity to support our customers from all sectors, including the on-board traction transformer market.
What inspired you to pursue the career you have today, and how do you continue to motivate yourself?
As long as there are products and the business to develop, they keep me motivated! I enjoy working with customers, colleagues, and partners to find the best solutions for transformer insulation. I am excited about the prospect of being part of the future of the energy and transport sectors. These industries are gearing up for huge changes in energy generation and usage as our world continues to move towards increased sustainability. The demand for on-board transformers will increase, and the market will need a reliable supplier, such as Weidmann, that has the capacity to meet these demands.
What do you find interesting about Weidmann?
Weidmann’s uniqueness comes from its reputation as a leading provider of transformer insulation solutions. By choosing Weidmann products, our customers are also choosing reliability and quality. Weidmann’s global production facilities also mean that we can supply our customers wherever they are in the world, maximizing product availability and minimizing shipping costs.
From a work perspective, what has been your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement is being one of the founding members of Weidmann’s on-board transformer business and having the opportunity to develop the business into the successful operation it is today.
What are your interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy birdwatching, photography (particularly of animals), walking in the mountains, and traveling.
Thanks for taking the time to speak with us today!